Disk transferring device that employs a fixed disk guide supporting one edge of a disk and a drive side disk guide having a revolving belt to support and drive an opposite edge of the disk

Abstract

A disk transport mechanism for a disk player employs a fixed disk guide to support one edge of a disk and a drive-side disk guide, with a revolving belt, to support and drive an opposite edge of the disk. The disk is held between the fixed and drive-side disk guides to press the revolving belt against the disk edge causing the disk to roll along the fixed disk guide. The disk is positioned by registering its position using an engaging flap near an insertion aperture. Eject, playback, and storage positions are established by cumulating pulses from an encoder, connected to the belt drive, as the belt moves from a registration position to the target position. The fixed and drive-side disk guides are movably supported on a chassis and urged together by a spring. The guides have sufficient range of movement to accommodate 80 and 120 mm disks. The revolving belt is supported by a wall that prevents the belt from bowing under the force of the disk edge. Because the belt follows a linear path, the disk center follows a linear path. In addition, the disk center position is a linear function of displacement of the encoder. This makes design of the positioning logic simpler and therefore storable in a smaller memory. In addition, the present invention makes positioning reliable since the variable stretch properties of the belt do not have to be considered.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A disk transferring device for transferring a disk having an edge between first and second positions of a disk player, comprising: a chassis;   first and second disk guides connected to said chassis, each having means for supporting said disk between said first and second disk guides;   said first disk guide having a revolving belt, supported between first and second supports on said first disk guide;   said revolving belt having a longitudinal spanning portion between said first and second supports;   said belt having an outside face for engaging said edge of said disk and an inside face opposite said outside face;   means for urging said disk edge against said outside face, to move said disk when said revolving belt is revolved;   support means affixed to said first disk guide between said first and second supports;   said support means being adjacent said inside face; and   said support means reinforcing at least one of said first and second supports to prevent said belt from bowing across and longitudinal spanning portion.   
     
     
       2. A device as in claim 1, wherein: said disk has one of at least two substantially different diameters;   at least one of said first and second disk guides is movably connected to said chassis by a means for movably connecting said at least one of said first and second disk guides; and   said means for movably connecting has a range of movement sufficient to allow said disk to be supported irrespective of which of said two different diameters it has.   
     
     
       3. A device as in claim 1, further comprising: means for measuring a distance of transport of said disk by said revolving belt;   means for detecting a presence of said disk at said first position; and   means for halting said revolving belt upon arrival of said disk at said second position responsively to said means for measuring.   
     
     
       4. A device as in claim 3, further comprising: means for revolving said revolving belt;   means for drivably connecting said means for revolving to said revolving belt; and   said means for measuring including means for cumulating displacement of said belt relative to said first disk guide.   
     
     
       5. A device as in claim 4, wherein said means for cumulating includes encoder means, drivingly connected to said means for revolving, for indicating a displacement of belt. 
     
     
       6. A device as in claim 1, wherein said support means includes: a reinforcement guide running substantially a length of said spanning portion; and   means for permitting said belt to move adjacent said reinforcement guide.   
     
     
       7. A device as in claim 6, wherein: said disk has one of at least two substantially different diameters;   at least one of said first and second disk guides is movably connected to said chassis by a means for movably connecting said at least one of said first and second disk guides; and   said means for movably connecting has a range of movement sufficient to allow said disk to be supported irrespective of which of said two different diameters it has.   
     
     
       8. A device as in claim 6, wherein: said reinforcement guide has a sliding surface adjacent said inside face; and   said means for permitting includes means for reducing friction between said sliding surface and said inside face.   
     
     
       9. A device as in claim 8, wherein said means for reducing includes a sheet of low friction material slidably held between said sliding surface and said inside face. 
     
     
       10. A device as in claim 9, wherein said sheet is of polytetraflouroethylene. 
     
     
       11. A device as in claim 10, further comprising: means for measuring a distance of transport of said disk by said revolving belt;   means for detecting a presence of said disk at said first position;   means for halting said revolving belt upon arrival of said disk at said second position responsively to said means for measuring;   means for revolving said revolving belt;   means for drivably connecting said motor to said revolving belt; and   said means for measuring including means for cumulating a displacement of said belt relative to said first disk guide.   
     
     
       12. A disk transferring device for transferring a disk having an edge between first and second positions of a disk player, comprising: a chassis;   first and second disk guides connected to said chassis, each having means for supporting said disk between said first and second disk guides;   said first disk guide having a revolving belt, supported between first and second supports on said first disk guide;   said revolving belt having a longitudinal spanning portion between said first and second supports;   said belt having an outside face for engaging said edge of said disk and an inside face opposite said outside face;   means for urging said disk edge against said outside face, whereby said disk is moved when said revolving belt is revolved;   means, located between said first and second supports and adjacent said inside face, for preventing a bowing of said spanning portion;   said means for preventing includes a reinforcement guide running substantially a length of said spanning portion;   said means for preventing includes means for permitting said belt to move adjacent said reinforcement guide;   said reinforcement guide has a sliding surface adjacent said inside face;   said means for permitting includes means for reducing friction between said sliding surface and said inside face; and   said means for reducing includes rollers on said reinforcement guide forming a roller bearing.   
     
     
       13. A device as in claim 12, wherein: a first of said rollers has a first diameter;   a second of said rollers has a second diameter; and   said second diameter is substantially different from said first.   
     
     
       14. A device as in claim 13, wherein: said rollers include a third roller of said first diameter; and   said second roller is rotatably mounted between said first and third rollers.   
     
     
       15. A device as in claim 12, wherein: said reinforcement guide includes a shaft for each of said rollers;   each of said rollers being rotatably mounted on a respective one of said shafts;   said rollers having respective diameters; and   a distance between adjacent ones of said shafts being substantially smaller than an average of said diameters of said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones, whereby said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones overlap each other.   
     
     
       16. A disk transferring device, for transferring a disk having a disk diameter and having a first position and a receiving position, comprising: a chassis;   a disk transfer guide movably connected to said chassis and held in a ready position;   said disk transfer guide including first means for engaging an edge of said disk at a first point of said edge;   second means, connected to said chassis opposite said disk transfer guide, for engaging a second point of said edge opposite said first point;   said first and second means for engaging being separated by a distance less than said disk diameter when said disk transfer guide is in said ready position;   said disk transfer guide shifting away from said second means for engaging upon an insertion of said disk between said first and second means for engaging until said disk is positioned between said first and second means for engaging at said receiving position, whereupon a shifting of said disk transfer guide occurs until said first and second means for engaging are separated by a distance substantially equal to said disk diameter;   drive means for actively transferring said disk along said disk transfer guide in a direction leading between said receiving position and said first position;   said drive means including a belt having a belt surface;   said belt being revolvably supported at two support points on one of said first and second means for engaging to form a loop;   means for urging said disk edge against said belt surface;   support means being between said two support points;   said support means reinforcing at least one of said two support points countering a force of said urging transmitted by said means for urging, said support means preventing said belt from bowing when said disk edge is urged against said belt by said means for urging.   
     
     
       17. A device as in claim 16, further comprising: first means for detecting an amount of said shifting, whereby said disk diameter is indicated;   second means for detecting an amount of said transferring;   said disk having a portion;   third means for detecting a presence of said portion of said disk at a second position along said direction;   means for halting said drive means responsively to said first, second, and third means for detecting.   
     
     
       18. A device as in claim 17, further comprising: fourth means for detecting an occurrence of said shifting, whereby said insertion is indicated; and   said drive means being actuated responsively to said fourth means for detecting.   
     
     
       19. A device as in claim 16, wherein said support means said belt includes: said loop having long axis;   a longitudinal reinforcement guide having a length substantially equal to a length of said long axis; and   means for permitting said belt to move adjacent said reinforcement guide.   
     
     
       20. A device as in claim 19, wherein: said belt has a inside face facing an interior of said loop;   said reinforcement guide has a surface adjacent said inside face; and   said means for permitting includes means for reducing friction between said sliding surface and said inside face.   
     
     
       21. A disk transferring device, for transferring a disk having a disk diameter and having a first position and a receiving position, comprising: a chassis;   a disk transfer guide movably connected to said chassis and held in a ready position;   said disk transfer guide including first means for engaging an edge of said disk at a first point of said edge;   second means, connected to said chassis opposite said disk transfer guide, for engaging a second point of said edge opposite said first point;   said first and second means for engaging being separated by a distance less than said disk diameter when said disk transfer guide is in said ready position;   said disk transfer guide shifting away from said second means for engaging upon an insertion of said disk between said first and second means for engaging until said disk is positioned between said first and second means for engaging at said receiving position, whereupon a shifting of said disk transfer guide occurs until said first and second means for engaging are separated by a distance substantially equal to said disk diameter;   drive means for actively transferring said disk along said disk transfer guide in a direction leading between said receiving position and said first position;   said drive means including a belt having a belt surface;   said belt being revolvable supported at two support points on one of said first and second means for engaging to form a loop;   said loop having a long axis;   means for urging said disk edge against said belt surface;   means, connected to said one of said first and second means, for supporting said belt by countering a force of said urging transmitted by said means for urging;   said means for supporting said belt includes a longitudinal reinforcement guide having a length substantially equal to a length of said long axis;   means for permitting said belt to move adjacent said reinforcement guide;   said belt has a inside face facing an interior of said loop;   said reinforcement guide has a surface adjacent said inside face;   said means for permitting includes means for reducing friction between said sliding surface and said inside face; and   said means for reducing includes rollers on said reinforcement guide forming a roller bearing.   
     
     
       22. A device as in claim 21, wherein: a first of said rollers has a first diameter;   a second of said rollers has a second diameter; and   said second diameter is substantially different from said first.   
     
     
       23. A device as in claim 22, wherein: said rollers include a third roller of said first diameter; and   said second roller is rotatably mounted between said first and third rollers.   
     
     
       24. A device as in claim 21, wherein: said reinforcement guide includes a shaft for each of said rollers;   each of said rollers being rotatably mounted on a respective one of said shafts;   said rollers having respective diameters; and   a distance between adjacent ones of said shafts being substantially smaller than an average of said diameters of said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones, whereby said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones overlap each other.   
     
     
       25. A device as in claim 20, wherein said means for reducing includes a sheet of low friction material slidably held between said sliding surface and said inside face. 
     
     
       26. A disk conveying device for conveying a disk, comprising: a belt;   means for revolvably supporting said belt at two points to form a loop;   a straight spanning portion of said belt between said two points;   means for revolving said belt;   said belt having means for engaging a portion of said disk, and thereby conveying said disk along said spanning portion when said belt is revolved;   means for preventing a deflection of said spanning portion by said disk, whereby said spanning portion remains straight during said conveying;   said means for preventing having a reinforcement guide running substantially a length of said spanning portion;   said means for preventing also having a means for permitting said belt to move adjacent said reinforcement guide;   said belt has in inside face directed toward an interior of said loop;   said reinforcement guide has a sliding surface adjacent said inside face;   said means for permitting includes means for reducing friction between said sliding surface and said inside face; and   said means for reducing includes rollers on said reinforcement guide forming a roller bearing.   
     
     
       27. A device as in claim 26, wherein: said reinforcement guide includes a shaft for each of said rollers;   each of said rollers being rotatably mounted on a respective one of said shafts;   said rollers having respective diameters; and   a distance between adjacent ones of said shafts being substantially smaller than an average of said diameters of said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones, whereby said rollers mounted on said adjacent ones overlap each other.   
     
     
       28. A device as in claim 26, wherein: a first of said rollers has a first diameter;   a second of said rollers has a second diameter; and   said second diameter is substantially different from said first.   
     
     
       29. A device as in claim 28, wherein: said rollers include a third roller of said first diameter; and   said second roller is rotatably mounted between said first and third rollers.   
     
     
       30. A device as in claim 26, wherein said means for reducing includes a sheet of low friction material slidably held between said sliding surface and said inside face. 
     
     
       31. A device as in claim 30, wherein said sheet is of polytetraflouroethylene.